TNI AD: Nine Suspects Involved in Murder of Soldier in South Tangerang
Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih has stated that nine people carried out the mob attack that led to the death of an Indonesian Army soldier, Private ABS, in South Tangerang on Sunday (19/7).
Head of Information for Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih, Colonel of Infantry Tri Purwanto, explained that Private ABS was a member of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih who was on duty assisting the Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih Representative Office in Jakarta.
The incident is believed to have stemmed from a misunderstanding at an eating establishment.
“This then led to a mob attack accompanied by stabbing by a group of people against the late Private ABS, causing fatal stab wounds,” Tri said in a written statement on Wednesday (22/7).
He said that in the morning, the victim was found by a witness, along with the victim’s military identification card. The witness then reported the matter to the local Babinsa and Bhabinkamtibmas officers.
“A joint team from the TNI and the National Police, including Korem 052/Wijayakrama, Deninteldam Jaya, Denpom Tangerang and the South Tangerang Police, moved quickly to pursue the perpetrators and conduct inquiries to gather witnesses and evidence related to the mob attack carried out by that group of people,” he said.
He said the case is currently under investigation at the South Tangerang Police, with 17 witnesses having been examined.
According to him, based on the investigation, there are nine suspects in the mob attack and stabbing of Private ABS, while eight other witnesses have been released because they were not involved in the incident.
He stated that the TNI will closely monitor the legal process and called on the public and the victim’s colleagues to remain calm and leave the handling of the case entirely to law enforcement.
“Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih extends its condolences to the family of the late Private ABS, and we guarantee that the legal process will be carried out transparently,” Tri said.
A TNI soldier was previously found dead after allegedly becoming the victim of a murder on Jalan Raya Pondok Hijau Golf, Kelapa Dua, Tangerang Regency, on Sunday (19/7) at around 05.45 Western Indonesia Time.
“The victim has been identified as Arif Budi Sampurna, a member of the Indonesian Army,” South Tangerang Police Chief AKBP Boy Jumalolo told reporters on Tuesday (21/7).
According to Boy, the police immediately launched an inquiry after receiving a report about the discovery of the victim’s body, including processing the crime scene.
Based on the crime scene examination, the victim had sustained multiple wounds from a sharp object and was declared dead.
Police also gathered statements from witnesses and tracked information regarding the whereabouts of the perpetrators involved in the incident.
“From the results of the investigation, officers managed to identify and arrest four suspects at several locations not far from the scene within less than 24 hours,” Boy said.